Microfiche scanner module

Abstract

The microfiche scanner module constitutes a specially designed modular unit capable of being substituted for a normal microfilm cartridge mechanism in a reader/printer projector to thereby enable the printing and displaying of data information stored on microfiche without requiring any major alterations in the reader/printer projector. The scanner unit includes a frame supporting a carriage for movement in a fore and aft direction, the carriage in turn supporting a film platen for movement in a left and right direction. A microfiche is positioned on the film platen between the normally provided light source and projection lens in the reader/printer projector. Movement of the carriage in a forward direction will scan one column of the microfiche after which the carriage is retracted and shifted to the right so that a second column can be scanned, the process being repeated until all of the information on the microfiche is printed in the printer. The movement of the carriage in a forward direction in the printing process of each column is controlled by the print paper moving mechanism in the projector so that proper image positioning for printing is assured.

I claim: 
     
       1. A microfiche scanner module for insertion in a microfilm reader/printer projector including a light source, projection lens, print paper moving means, paper cut button and display screen, as a substitute for the normal microfilm cartridge mechanism for said projector, said module comprising: (a) a supporting frame positionable in said reader/printer projector between said light source and projection lens in the opening normally occupied by said microfilm cartridge mechanism;   (b) a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for movement in a fore and aft direction;   (c) a film platen mounted on said carriage for movement in a left and right direction, said film platen being dimensioned to hold a microfiche having a plurality of side-by-side columns of images to be printed extending in said fore and aft directions;   (d) means connected to said print paper moving means to move said carriage in a forward direction at a rate proportional to the speed of movement of said print paper so that the image in a first column is projected onto said print paper for printing as said column is moved between said light source and projection lens;   (e) means responsive to said paper cut button for disconnecting said print paper moving means from said carriage so that said carriage can be retracted to its initial position; and,   (f) means for moving said film platen to the right to position the initial portion of the next adjacent column between said light source and lens, whereby said carriage can again be moved in a forward direction by reconnecting it to said print paper moving means at a rate proportional to the speed of movement of said print paper so that said next column image is printed, the process being repeated to thereby provide a continuous series of paper print read-outs of the information in the column images respectively the same as though the column images were provided successively on microfilm.   
     
     
       2. A scanner module according to claim 1, in which said supporting frame includes first and second spaced parallel guide rails extending in said fore and aft direction, said carriage having upwardly extending guide blocks on its left and right sides through which said rails pass so that said rails guide movement of said carriage in said fore and aft direction, said carriage including transverse guide rails extending in said left and right direction, said film platen riding on said transverse guide rails for movement in said left and right direction, said means responsive to said print paper moving means including a first drive roller on said frame connected for continuous rotation to said print paper moving means; a second drive roller on said frame; clutch means on said frame connecting said first drive roller to said second drive roller when actuated and disconnecting said first drive roller from said second drive roller when de-actuated; an idler roller on said frame spaced in a forward direction from said second drive roller; an endless belt passing over said idler roller and second drive roller, said belt extending parallel and adjacent to said first rail; clamp means securing a side of said carriage to said belt so that rotation of said second drive roller moves said belt to thereby move said carriage in said forward direction; said means responsive to operation of said paper cut button being connected to said clutch means for de-actuating said clutch means when said paper cut button is operated. 
     
     
       3. A scanner module according to claim 2, in which said means for moving said film platen to the right includes gear teeth provided on one of said transverse guide rails; and a manually rotatable gear pinion mounted on said platen in meshing relationship with said gear teeth so that rotation of said gear pinion moves said platen in a controlled manner, proper positioning of a successive column being effected by observing said display screen while rotating said pinion.